ICTRoughi (page 1 of this thread) and myself (page 11) both suggested Scott MacDonald at the start of this month. This thread has virtually been defined by posters making reasonable striker suggestions only to see other clubs pick them up. Even around/before the start of the January window, Yogi was saying in the press that we should expect a bigger club to come in for McKay. I think the club was probably baiting a club to come in with some welcome money. Charles Bannerman has said elsewhere that the club budget has historically relied on periodic windfalls. This might have been viewed as another one. Consequently, right or wrong, the contingency plan must have been to "promote from within".
I think it's legitimate enough to be critical of the club in principle for not replacing Billy McKay but it's going a bit far to criticise for not signing a particular individual without knowing whether that person was willing to come and, if so,on what terms.
^This
As much as I am gutted to see someone of the calibre of McDonald go to another club in the league also them being bottom of the league, it could be very possible that we were outpriced by wages - if I'm not mistaken McFadden's wages was funded by sponsors when he signed a couple seasons back, maybe happening here given Motherwell's current situation.
I'm trusting Yogi's judgement on this situation and hopefully the guy 'kink' if he signs may turn out to be a better deal than bringing McDonald here. You never know with football.